These calico cats have an extra chromosome (XXY) and are usually sterile. Since toms have only one X chromosome (X), they are not capable, technically, of producing the three-colored coat that calicos exhibit.”īut, as he points out, gene expression isn’t so simple, and there’s a 3,000 to 1 chance of a calico being male. Hartstein explains the genetics at work in calico cats: “Since queens have two X chromosomes (XX), they can express both orange and black. Just like humans, cats have either XX or XY chromosomes that determine their sex. A separate gene is responsible for the white spotting, and it’s located on a different chromosome (not a sex-linked chromosome). The reason for this is that the genes responsible for orange or black coat colors are linked to the X chromosome. Most, but not all calico cats are female. “Each calico is so unique in color-and temperament-that you’ll likely never encounter two of the same.” 2. “Calico cats are traditionally orange, black and white, but variations/shades of the three colors exist as well,” says Russell Hartstein, certified dog and cat behaviorist and trainer and CEO (Canine Executive Officer) of Fun Paw Care in Los Angeles, California. So, you end up with all kinds of variations of patched patterns of these three colors. To create this coat, calicos have cells where either the black or orange gene is expressed, plus a white spotting gene being expressed in other cells. The typical calico has large patches of white with smaller patches of orange and black. If you’ve ever shared your home with a calico cat, chances are you had a female cat.Īnd you might have heard that all calicos are female, or that they’re rare, or someone probably referred to the “calico cat breed.” So, what’s the truth about these multicolored creatures of mystery? With these fun facts about calico cats, you’ll be unstoppable at the next trivia night.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |